We Also Lost Suzi Quist Marmorat, Dwight Coleman, and Mark Mosher...

May they rest in peace.

Karen Karkau Schmidt

Since graduating from Davis in 1970, I have attended the UW, graduating in 1974 in Anthroplogy.  I co-owned a small business in Seattle for several years, “Fritzi Ritz Vintage Clothing”.  First we were located in Fremont, and then relocated to the Pike Place Market for several years.

In 1986 I stopped being self-employed and went to work as an accountant for Nordstrom in their downtown Corporate Accounting department.  I was married in 1986, and have one son who is now 25.  He is living in Tacoma, working part time and attending Tacoma Community College.

After “retiring” from Nordstrom in 2006, I went to work at the UW where I still work full-time in Grant and Contract Accounting.  I live in the University District so work is near home. 

In my free time I enjoy belonging to a book group for over 25 years – we meet monthly to discuss a book, and I would say reading is one of my life passions.  (Thank you to my mother and to Miss Tonnemaker, 3^rd grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Yakima!)

I also enjoying antiquing and collect vintage Bauer pottery, bakelite jewelry, and antique post cards.  My other hobby is playing chess, occasionally in tournaments.

I have tons of fond memories of Davis High and Yakima, and am really looking forward to seeing everyone in July at the park!

Karen (Karkau) Schmidt

Zella Valloy Skaw-May She Rest in Peace.

Jan. 23, 1952 - Feb. 3, 2015

Zella Valloy Skaw was born Jan. 23, 1952 to Anna Rebecca Sharp and Antone Clarke Skaw in Woodland, California. She moved to the Yakima Valley in 1953 where she graduated from AC Davis High School in 1970.

Zella worked in the retail and service industries for 20 years. At the age of 37 she went back to school and graduated from YVCC in 1993, starting a career in Occupational Therapy. Zella moved to Kennewick thereafter where she resided for 22 years. She was active in the Occupational Therapy field from 1993 - 2014 where she touched many lives working with autistic and special needs children, and adult nursing facilities within the Benton Franklin area. She made it her life's work helping people to become more self sufficient and live a better life.

She is survived by her loving family which includes sister, Zania Marie Schmidt, brother in-law Richard Schmidt, her son Jonathan Adam Skaw, daughter in-law Stephanie Skaw, her two grandchildren Kara Skaw and Sean Skaw, nephews Mathew Schmidt and David Schmidt, nieces Victoria Snelling and Diane Sharp Weber, and seven great-nieces and nephews.

She was loved by all and will be more than missed. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricityherald/obituary.aspx?pid=174064445#sthash.uZZ1J53a.dpuf

Kathleen Dawson Rier Died in February 2015

Valley Hills Funeral Home

Kathleen Louise Rier (Dawson), age 63 passed away on January 29, 2015 in Bellingham, WA after a long struggle with heart problems. Kathy is survived by her mother Dora F. Dawson of Kennewick, WA, her brother Michael Dawson of Kennewick, WA, her two children, son Brian Barge and his wife Sharron Barge of Bellingham, WA, her daughter Jolie Grant (Barge) and her husband Paul T. Grant of Yakima WA, along with her grandchildren that were the light of her life, Halie Grant, Brock Barge and Aspen Barge. Kathy is preceded in death by her father Robert E. Dawson and her brother Ken Dawson.

Kathy was born in Bremerton, WA on April 3, 1951 to Robert and Dora F. Dawson. Kathy grew up with fond memories of living near Horseshoe Lake and spending summers playing with her two older brothers. Later they moved to Yakima where Kathy graduated from Davis High School and met and married her first love Jerry Barge, and had two children. They raised horses and enjoyed many great years of camping, boating and spending time with family.

Several years later Kathy moved to Bellingham and married Ken Rier, where they owned a Christmas tree farm. Kathy enjoyed seeing the families come every year to get their Christmas trees and served hot cocoa to all the kids. Kathy worked for several years and a drug and alcohol counselor for Whatcom County helping so many people.

Over the years Kathy enjoyed several hobbies, ceramics, boating, camping, gardening, raising and showing horses. Kathy loved spending time with her 3 grandchildren and had a love of animals, treating all of her pets like they were her babies.

A celebration of life service will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 21st at 2 pm.